TYPES OF MODERN HOUSING 157 



sunlight during the day. I believe it to be one of the 

 key points in getting winter eggs. If, however, one 

 have a shed house, snug night quarters may be easily 

 provided, at a little additional cost, by laying a light 

 platform on two strong horses, and setting thereon one 

 of the three-by-six feet floored weaning coops which 

 can be had of any supply house, or which can be made 

 at home, if desired. These form ideal sleeping rooms 

 for small pens of fowls, and, with such night quarters, 

 Leghorns will lay well even if running in a cold shed 

 during the day. This I know from experience. In fact, 

 no breed that I have tested in this way has failed to give 

 good winter returns, even in January. 



The combination principle that must govern all con- 

 struction for poultry shelter is : comfort, with the great- 

 est amount of fresh air possible. Although there is not 

 a particle of doubt that some could make more money 

 growing pullets to sell than they could from trying to 

 produce winter eggs, the fact remains that the larger 

 possibilities in winter eggs dispose most people to try 

 the gamble for them. This is what it really is for many, 

 during December, January, and February. Given good 

 feed in sufficient surplus above a maintenance ration to 

 produce eggs, the rest depends on the comfort of the 

 birds. This is best and most safely attained in localities 

 where sharp winds may be expected, by making all walls 

 but the front absolutely wind-proof, and leaving the front 

 more or less open. Professor Atwood says that double- 

 walling at the back furnishes much-appreciated harbors 

 for rats. I do not hesitate to say that more difference 

 can be attained by locating the house in a sheltered spot 

 than from giving it a second wall when lacking the 



